All right.. I got my wish for a supporting couple to be shown, but guess what I don’t believe I like this pairing as much either. >_< The new couple is on Yoshino (mangaka) and Hatori (editor) with Yuu (assistant) linked somewhere. They are all friends from childhood. Though the back story is that Yoshino and Hatori have been friends since childhood, and they meet Yuu later.

Now I know the opening shows who’s going to be the coupling in this one, but one slightly oblivious uke stuck in a love triangle coming up! I don’t believe that I am a hard fujoshi to please, but really tone down on unnecessary angst, and give me OTP! I choose not to watch much shoujo, but please don’t stick it in bl titles as well. >_<

So it got to the middle of the episode, and then with misunderstandings and kissing, the episode somehow clears up to definitely continue this pairing into the next episode.

On the manga creation aspect, I definitely like how the usage of a mangaka’s interaction with a team of assistance is more fleshed out in this story. In the past I have seen one drama Himitsu no Hanazono, mention somewhat of this type of partnership level. Though it has been a while since I have seen that drama, so none of the other anime/manga such as Mainichi Kaasan or Bakuman have this detail of assistance. In the anime, it most certainly seems to be a one-two team person. Although if I count the clips of Behind the scenes at Studio Ghibli, I may have seen a glimpse of this partnership. I am definitely never going deny how much work goes into creating any work, and I am recalling how large the display case was for all of Ponyo‘s storyboards drafts. Definitely something that is quite different as compared to a realistic approach. In Bakuman they do mention with how important a mangaka is, how much assistance are led to help out. So, counting Yuu that is four people I see. Seem important all right.

Now I see the archetype of the story. I see the pattern now. Uke and seme. And then there comes antithesis third person or rival, then resolve to synthesis.

In reality, in 3-D, third person always turns out to be the lucky bastard. I start doubting, “Is she going out with that f*ckhead?” and then, yes she is. No chance for me. My little fantasy ends right there, and withdrawn to 2-D.

So, the editor is the one telling mangaka what to write? I thought mangaka was the creator and she or he can write whatever she wants. I didn’t know the editor could interfere the creative process that much. Isn’t story-writing mangaka’s job?

Yes.. in bl there is a seme and uke.. and occasionally a third person.. but that is often not the case. But it does add a dimension to the relationship.

I always see the editor as a person who would ground the mangaka. Meaning that often a writer can be the story teller, what possible ideas are useful to be publishing, but in most instances the editor would give suggestions.

Thanks for the review. This episode seems rushed. Nice that the relationship was resolved already but I kind of lost track of what was going on in the middle.

After this I kind of wonder if there can be such a long-term partnership between editor and mangaka (or author in general) like Yoshiyuki and Chiaki did, or they rotate the teams regularly. I’m not familiar with creative process but probably some authors will prefer to work with new people once in a while.

Thanks for your comment! I question if the relationship is resolved already. With Yuu still there and next episode. In real life this situation would possibly not work, but if I know couples, they usually stick together on a continuing relationship.